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Most people's rubbish collection service will be as reliable and convenient as usual over the holiday period, although no uplifts will take place on Christmas Day and New Year's Day Wednesdays.

In search of a festive calling bird, we turn again today to F.O. Morris’s History of British Birds, on sale in 6 volumes at Le Troubadour on Henderson Row (Breaking news, 4.12.13). This is the origin of the plate shown right.

Despite all the warm, socially glowing images we're bombarded with each Christmas, the festive period can be emotionally and practically rough for many people.

'Loneliness can hit hard,' says Brian Sloan, Chief Executive at Age Concern Scotland. 'Older people who live alone, or who have caring responsibilities, are particularly vulnerable.'

Strange what comes to mind at mention of the name 'Magnum'.

It’s coming up for a year since White Rabbit first opened its burrow on Broughton Street, and this will be the erotic boutique’s first Christmas in the neighbourhood.

Spurtle popped by at lunchtime to gauge how things have settled down.

Alasdair Sim, the Council's Tram Interface Manager, spoke to the New Town & Broughton Community Council at its last meeting of the year on 2 December.

Spurtle photographed a weathered fairy hanging in the rowan tree on Bellevue Place a few days ago, and returned this evening, just as night fell and the Moon rose.

Work began today on the first stages of rebuilding a wall badly damaged last week in Eyre Place. The wall bounds backgreens behind tenements at the top of Canonmills.

These snowy and kinetic scenes have been brightening Rodney Street since the weekend.

Police Scotland have confirmed that they are investigating the theft of a purse from a house in Bellevue Road yesterday.

Spurtle understands from a local reader that two bogus workmen gained access to a property there posing as plasterers.  

Officers later visited nearby residents issuing a description and advising people to be vigilant.